Terminal connection structure for electricpower steering system of a vehicle

Abstract

A terminal connection structure includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a terminal guide. The first terminal includes a held portion. The second terminal includes a plate-shaped base portion, a pair of holding portions projecting from one end of the base portion to hold the held portion from both sides, and a plate-shaped bridge portion projecting from the other end of the base portion in a direction crossing relative to the base portion. The terminal guide includes a guide hole having one end at which the first terminal is disposed, and the other end from which the second terminal is inserted.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A terminal connection structure comprising:
 a first terminal including a held portion; 
 a second terminal including a plate-shaped base portion, a pair of holding portions projecting from one end of the base portion to hold the held portion from both sides, and a plate-shaped bridge portion projecting from the other end of the base portion in a direction crossing relative to the base portion; and 
 a terminal guide including a guide hole having one end at which the first terminal is disposed, and the other end from which the second terminal is inserted, 
 wherein the terminal guide includes a cover overlapping with the base portion and the holding portions in a direction orthogonal to the base portion, and the cover includes a window exposing a base side end portion of the pair of holding portions. 
 
     
     
       2. The terminal connection structure according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the second terminal includes a tapered portion between the base portion and the holding portions, the tapered portion having a length reduced toward ends of the holding portions, the length being in a width direction which is a direction parallel to a surface of the base portion and orthogonal to a projecting direction of the holding portion. 
 
     
     
       3. The terminal connection structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a preliminary positioning mechanism positioning ends of the holding portions at one end of the guide hole, before the second terminal is connected to the first terminal. 
 
     
     
       4. A motor connected to
 an electronic control unit through the terminal connection structure according to  claim 1 . 
 
     
     
       5. An actuator comprising:
 the motor according to  claim 4 ; and 
 a reduction gear. 
 
     
     
       6. An electric power steering system acquiring a steering assist torque from the actuator according to  claim 5 . 
     
     
       7. A vehicle on which
 the electric power steering system according to  claim 6  is mounted. 
 
     
     
       8. A terminal connection structure comprising:
 a first terminal including a held portion; 
 a second terminal including a plate-shaped base portion, a pair of holding portions projecting from one end of the base portion to hold the held portion from both sides, and a plate-shaped bridge portion projecting from the other end of the base portion in a direction crossing relative to the base portion; and 
 a terminal guide including a guide hole having one end at which the first terminal is disposed, and the other end from which the second terminal is inserted, 
 wherein the terminal guide overlaps with the holding portions in a direction orthogonal to the base station, and includes a window exposing a connection part between the holding portions and the held portion.